Bronx, N.Y. - The odds of finishing a regular-season with an unbeaten record are miniscule, and the Monroe College men's soccer team felt defeat for the first time in the season, with a 2-1, overtime loss to Essex County - Baltimore on Saturday in a game played at Gaelic Park in the Bronx. The team is now 10-1-1 on the season despite the setback.
The Mustangs controlled play early, pushing the attack from the onset. In a physical game, with a lot of whistles, both sides struggle to create scoring chances earl. Finally, at 18:50, Monroe got on the board. Following a foul on the Knights,
Evan Finnegan blasted a free kick from outside the 18-yard box. The Essex keeper dove at the shot and parryed it, but
Kalifa Sylla cleaned up the deflection and buried it in the back of the net, giving Monroe a 1-0 lead. The score stayed at 1-0 through halftime.
The second half saw Monroe press the ball on defense to create turnovers. In the 65th minute, Monroe was nearly rewarded for their persistence.
Andreas Time pressured the ball and won it on a turnover. He made a run down the left side, got past several defenders and blasted a shot that made the keeper go sprawling to his right to stop with his fingertips. Essex scored late in regulation to even the match at 1-1, but Monroe nearly won it seconds later. From the left side of the 18-yard box,
Jorge Paez dribbled to create space and let go a shot that was blocked and Time missed a rebound that would have put the Mustangs ahead.
The game went into overtime and Essex scored on their very first possession. In the loss, Monroe out shot the Knights, 18-5. They tried seven corner kicks to just two from Essex. Mamadue Balde picked his second yellow card near the end of regulation which put Monroe a man down heading into overtime. Also,
Fabio Hernandez played the second half and overtime in goal in relief of
Robert Ekroll.
The Monroe College men's soccer team returns to action on Friday, October 16, when they host ASA at City Park. The kickoff with the Avengers is slated for 7:00 PM.
